Hurricane Harvey has no doubt showcased the power of Mother Nature, but it has also given rise to the incredible level of generosity by individuals, groups, and corporations to assist those affected by its wake. Large portions of the city of Houston are so far under water only watercraft are able to reach them.

In no small part of this need of boating equipment, Bass Pro Shops is providing 80 boats (in addition to other funding and services) to aid those in the rescue and relief effort.

We've also received word many current and one-time sponsors of BASS have donated watercraft, funding, and other necessary services as well.

If you're looking for a way to support those affected by the hurricane, but don't want to be caught in a scam, here's a link (courtesy of the NY Times) with important information (and direct links) to organizations supporting the relief effort.

We are in a full court press recruiting volunteer boaters for this years Fishing For Freedom at Truman. We are currently short about 30 volunteer boaters. Please share the attached flier with your club members. We do realize that we are competing against the Big Bass Bash that weekend but I can assure you if you had to pick one over the other spending the day on the water with one of these American heroes will be something you and they will remember for a life time. Please consider volunteering to support this event this year. If you have non boater club members that would like to volunteer we are always in need of help on Sunday launching and loading boats and parking trucks. register through our website at http://fishingforfreedom.usEvent Flier

Thank you to the 31 boats that entered the 22nd Annual Summer Sizzler today. With a nice donation from the Missouri BASS Nation and tournament proceeds we raised $1,837.00 for the Children's Miracle Network Cox Hospital in Springfield Mo.

We will be voting on 3 items at this meeting
1) Pro/Am Big Bass Separate Payout at State
2) Team Average Weight Per Man Trophy
3) Free Entry for Top Average Weight Per Man in following year Championship

If you cannot attend the meeting a Proxy Vote can be submitted and counted if the Board of Directors approves at this meeting. Send these to me prior to the meeting. Since this change is not a Constitution or By Law change it will only require a simple majority vote by the Directors.

New Club Rosters and money is due by April 29, 2017 in order to be eligible to fish our State Championship tournament this year. Individual members can be added up until the June meeting. Your club must also be current with the BASS Nation by this meeting.

Bring soft plastics new or used for the recycling program and give to Robert..

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. —Missouri cashed in on its home-waters advantage to win the state competition of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan at the Lake of the Ozarks. Trailing Kentucky by more than 9 pounds at the beginning of the day, the 20-angler Missouri team rallied to collectively catch 346 pounds of bass to take first place and win a Triton 189TRX bass boat, trailer and Yamaha VF150LA outboard motor worth $38,000. Arkansas finished second with 305-8 and Kentucky dropped to third place with 304-2.

“We had an outstanding group of fishermen,” said Missouri team captain John Blankenbeker. “We had a state team that really came together.”

Others are known for serving as the sites of some of the greatest moments in professional bass fishing history — and one of those from that latter column has been chosen as the home of next year’s GEICO Bassmaster
...